NON-FICTION NOVEMBER

KRIS: The Snowy: a history by Siobhán McHugh

The Snowy Scheme was an extraordinary engineering feat carried out over 25 years from 1949 to 1974 – one that drove rivers through tunnels built through the Australian alps, irrigated the dry land and generated energy for the densely populated east coast. It was also the site of post-war social engineering that helped create a diverse multicultural nation.

The author tells the human stories of the migrant workers from many countries, the engineering and political challenges. 

An enjoyable read.

 

JUDY J: Why do birds do that? Over 50 answers to the most often asked questions by Dr Grainne Cleary

Judy described it as a fun and fascinating read for anyone with only a passing interest in birds right up to the most serious bird watchers or twitchers.

The author is a frequent guest on radio programs and her enthusiasm is very infectious.

Many simple questions and facts are explained.eg Why do Flamingos stand on one leg? and Why do birds pooh white? Simple explanations are given and then followed up with reference to studies and research.

These topics began much light-hearted conversations among Book Club members.

 

LYN : I’m Glad my Mom Died by Jeanette McCurdy

The author is a well-known actress having appeared in several successful sitcoms.

But her early life with her mother was very difficult. Having been diagnosed with cancer, the whole family tiptoed around her to keep her happy. But her mother’s great desire was for her daughter to become an actress. So from the age of 6 her mother controlled all aspects of her life and pushed her into the direction of an acting career.

By the time her mother died, McCurdy had had no experience in making choices for herself, so made many bad life choices.

Lyn was attracted by the titles and ‘hilarious’ reviews but thought that the story was too sad to be funny.

 

JUDY DE LA T: The Remarkable Mrs Reibey by Grantlee Kieza

This is the true story of the woman who now appears on our $20 note. Deported to the colony in 1791 for horse stealing, she went on to develop a family business which eventually became a fleet of merchant vessels making her the richest woman in the colony. She was widowed at 33, leaving her with 7 children as she continued with her business.

Judy found the book to be well written and researched, and an interesting read about early Australian history. 

The portrait used for the $20 note, is thought to be the only portrait of Mrs Reibey available.

The author has written several other books on well-known and not so well-known Australian characters.

 

PRUE: Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe

The author is of aboriginal descent from different mobs. There has been some controversy about his heritage, and this has continued with the subject of this book.

According to Pascoe, the aborigines were more than just hunters and gatherers. He claimed  there was evidence they may have built homes to stay in, fish traps were on the rivers and there was harvesting of grains to make bread as some examples of this. The aborigines have cared for the land so well and for so long that no damage has been done to the environment.

Prue said that the book was very interesting and well researched. 

 

VAL: Sunday Best;  80 Great Books from a Lifetime of Reviews by John Carey

Since 1977 John Carey has been the Chief Reviewer for the Sunday Times contributing over 1000 reviews. This selection covers many subjects including ones that Val wouldn’t read. Several of the titles she was familiar with, and most books are recent enough to be still available.

It was well written and a joy to read.

 

JO: You’re Old, I’m Old… Get Used to It by Virginia Ironside

The book gives 20 reasons why growing old is great! These unsung benefits  are amusingly told by author. They include the wisdom gathered over the years, common subjects of discussions such as operations and aliments. While some are just funny, others also have a serious side. 

Jo loved the book and it provided many funny moments.

 

JOAN: Colditz; Prisoners of the Castle by Ben McIntyre

Published in  2022 the book tells the true story of WW2’s most infamous Nazi prison set up in a Renaissance castle in Germany. As its inmates were recidivist escapees it was staffed by Army officers who treated the prisoners well, and according to the regulations for treatment of prisoners of war.

Despite the claim that it was escape proof, the detainees were obsessed with escape and over 32 escapes were successful.

Joan described it as not a riveting plot, but interesting characters and ingenious ideas.

 

DIANN: Independence; Stories of the Royal Australian Navy by Johanna Butler

On the 10^th July 1911, King George V granted the title of Royal Australian Navy to the Commonwealth Naval Forces. Two years later, the RAN displayed the new fleet to the Australian public in Sydney. This was an important symbol that Australia was now a self-reliant nation.

The book covers many aspects of the Navy’s history including the establishment of the Royal Australian Naval Nursing Service (RANNS) in 1942.

On a lighter note the long history of cats living on warships is explained as well as stories of rescues and incredible bravery.

Diann described it as a book of many diverse and interesting stories. A good read.

 

CONNIE: The Chocolate Wars by Deborah Cadbury

The book gives the history of Cadbury’s chocolate through 5 generations of owners. It was begun by Quaker families who gave ½ of their profit to the poor and lonely, and built factories and villages for their workers to live in.

As chocolate became more popular and accessible, other companies became involved. So the 150 year rivalry  between the English firms of Fry, Rowntree and Cadbury (to which the author is an heiress), their European competitors in Lindt and Nestlé and the American upstarts Hershey and Mars begins.

Eventually in 2010, Cadbury could not afford to remain as a single identity and continue to give away ½ of their money and were sold to Kraft but kept some of their factories.

 

PAT: Andrew Thompson: From Boy Convict to Wealthiest Settler in Colonial Australia  by Anngret Hall

The book tells of his life from the age of 17 when he was arrested in England and eventually transported to Australia on an uncertain stealing charge. His sentence was for 14 years. He died in 1810, aged 37, from an illness of the lungs.

Once released, he built a vast empire and became one of the richest  and most successful men in Colonial Australia. He was the first ex-convict to be made Chief Magistrate. Through his honesty and leadership he was appointed to official posts by 4 succeeding governors.

He is acknowledged today in various places, most notably, Thompson Square in Windsor.

 

JUDY A:  The Gene: An Intimate History by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Mukherjee takes a very complicated scientific subject and makes it understandable although there was a lot in this book that Judy didn’t understand.

It’s the story of the quest to decipher the master code that makes us who we are, what we look like and how we function. It’s told in a conversational style that keeps you reading. He starts in the prologue with the history of schizophrenia that runs through his father’s family. He then goes on to 1856 with Mendel, the obscure monk in Monrovia who stumbles on the idea of a ‘unity of heredity’ and goes right through to today, when we  to talk about the moral and physical issues involved with gene manipulation and gene therapy. He weaves history and personal stories of his own and others all the way through.

Judy’s final comment was that ‘this book nearly fried my brain, but I really enjoyed it’.

 

HELEN: How to Grow the Flowers; A Sustainable Approach to Enjoying Flowers Throughout the Seasons by Camila Klich and Marianne Mogendorff

This beautiful book is much more than just the photos and illustrations of flowers. It is a manifesto of sorts for the change in the floral industry to make it more sustainable.

The authors advocate and practice farming flowers with regenerative, nature-centric principles at the heart of their work. Embracing the seasons is the first step to a more sustainable relationship with flowers.

Some disturbing facts were quoted: 50% of flowers sold in Australia come from Kenya, Colombia and Ecuador. In winter months up to 80% can be imported. This results in a huge carbon footprint, unsustainable farming methods, refrigeration required for transport, fumigation to prevent pests and unsafe and unfair working conditions. 

The alternative is to grow your own with the practical but approachable guide quoted in the book, although all details and conditions refer to the UK.

 

BEV: Great Commanders of the Modern World edited by Andrew Roberts

The book concentrates on the main conflicts of the early 20^th century. It features 4 German generals of World War 2 and shows how lucky we were.  Despite the higher quality of German generals, the Fuhrer was a strategic dunderhead who reckoned himself the greatest warlord who ever lived.

Another subject was Rommel, the youngest German Field Marshall of World War 2. Among his qualities was his intuitiveness and ability to colonize the mind of his enemies.

 Bev found the book technical, but interesting.

 

DECEMBER: 

         The best book you’ve read this year, but not a Book Club title!

            🎄🧑‍🎄📚

 

 

 

OCTOBER, 2023 ---- OLD WESTERN U.S.A.

 

LESLEY:  NEWS OF THE WORLD BY PAULETTE GILES (2016)

This is historical fiction, set in Texas five years after the end of civil war. Captain Jefferson Kidd, fought in 3 wars previously.  He’s a widower with three adult children and one grandchild.  He’s a reading traveller bringing newspapers, and news to the locals to make an income.  He is asked to return a 10 year old German girl, Johanna to her aunt and uncle.   She was captured by Indians 4 years before, raised by them and is now deeply embedded in Indian culture.  The journey is 400 miles long and eventually trust develops between Kidd and Johanna.  The family think she is a savage, and they are hard and unforgiving. Lesley said it was well written, the main characters were likeable and well-drawn.  The descriptions of the fledgling towns were interesting. The author shows developing respect for each other’s cultures and way of life.  She said it was an enjoyable book.

ED:  THE HIGH DIVIDE BY LIN ENGER (2014)

In 1886, Gretta Pope wakes one morning to discover that her husband is gone.  Ulysses Pope has left his family behind on the far edge of Minnesota’s western prairie, with only the briefest of notes and no explanation for why he left or where he’s headed. His young sons, Eli and Danny set off after him. They end up in the rugged Badlands of Montana. Gretta is forced to follow them as she has little money.  Enger’s portrait of the vast plains landscape is matched by the rich expanse of his characters’ emotional terrain.

JO:  THE BLACK RIVER BY S.M. HULSE (2015)

Black River is a prison camp.  The story is about Wes Carver, a former prison guard, a man marked by a prison riot, and the convict who shaped him. He is a talented fiddler who finds joy in his music but now his arms and hands bear the marks of torture. He returns to his Montana hometown to bury his wife and confront the inmate who, twenty years ago, held him hostage during a prison riot. Jo said it was a good story.

DIANN:  TEN THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT THE OLD WEST BY ELIZABETH HANES

There are ten short stories.  The main character in the first story wasn’t a cowboy but a producer who also acted in hundreds of films.  He created the Bronco Billy persona.  Thanks to a Winchester rifle we didn’t know Billy the Kid wasn’t left handed.

TAM:  THE LAST BUS TO WISDOM BY IVAN DOIG (2015)

Donald Cameron was raised by his grandmother who was a cook.  When his grandmother had surgery in 1951, the 11year old Donald is shipped off to Wisconsin on a greyhound bus to Kate, his grandmother’s sister. She is nothing like her sister and sends him back to Montana.  Kate’s husband, Herman the German has had enough and goes back to Montana with Donald.  They help each other and have adventures.  They are mad about cowboys and rodeo riders.  Tam loved it.  It showed the real America.

ROSEMARY:  BAD DIRT BY ANNIE PROULX (2004)

This is the second book in her Wyoming series.  These are short stories set on Wyoming in the 1980’s.  Rosemary didn’t enjoy it.  She has read other books by the same author and liked them.  She found the characters weird and it didn’t appeal to her.

SHEILA:  BROKE BACK MOUNTAIN BY ANNIE PROULX (1997)

Sheila found it had bad sex and was crude.

PAMELA: THE COMPLETE WESTERN STORIES BY ELMORE LEONARD (1975)

This is a book of short stories.  Pamela read a few of them.  She felt it was almost as if he was learning to write.  He started writing in the 1950’s. His writing improves towards the end of the book and his style develops.  Pamela felt the portrayal of the Apache tribes was a bit stereotyped. One of the stories “The Rancher’s Lady” was very well written.  It was nice to dip into and Pamela found it a relaxing read.

KRIS:  ALL THE PRETTY HORSES BY CORMAC MCCARTHY (1992)

Cormac McCarthy was an American writer, well known for his unique writing style and graphic descriptions of violence.  The main character is John Grady Cole, a young man who has grown up on the land, a survivor of long generations of Texas Ranchers.  When his father gives up the ranch to his estranged wife, John loses his sense of direction.  He takes off to Mexico with his best friend.  He finds work on a horse property owned by a wealthy Spaniard.  He loves horses and has a special affinity with them.  He falls in love with the Spaniard’s daughter, but everything is about to change for him.   I enjoyed this book, although I glossed over the violent episode. I may read the next two in the trilogy.

JUDY DE:  THE BIG SKY BY A.B.GUTHRIE JNR. (1947)

This novel was written in 1947, the first of six novels in Guthrie’s sequence dealing with the Oregon Trail and the development of Montana from 1930. Caudill, Deakins and Summers are the most memorable characters. Caudill has a longing for the blue sky and brown earth of big, wild places.  He becomes a mountain man. Judy didn’t like the style of the book or the way it was written. It left her in a place where she didn’t know what happened. 

JUDY J:  RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE BY ZANE GREY (1912)

This is his best selling novel and has been called the most popular western novel of all time.  It was also made into a popular film.  It’s set in Utah in the Mormon settlement of Cottonwood.  The story has three main characters, Jane Withersteen, wealthy owner and operator of the considerable Withersteen ranch.  She sympathises with both the Mormons, her own people and the Gentiles which gets her into trouble with the local bishop and elders.  The next character is Bern Venters, a non-Mormon employed by Jane.  He is being persecuted by the local Mormons.  He is determined to prevent the church taking her ranch.  The third character is Jim Lassiter, a gunfighter who is also being persecuted by the Mormons.  He becomes a bit of a love interest.  Judy is only half-way through and probably won’t finish.  The story involves cattle-rustling, horse theft, kidnapping and gunfights and a love interest, everything a good western would need. Judy found it a bit tedious.

PRUE:  RED RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE BY ZANE GREY

This book was published by Harper in 1912.  The vintage is obvious by the words and expression used.  The damsel in distress, young handsome man helping the damsel, evil men, and an older gunslinger dressed in back is a theme for all his westerns.  Prue liked the descriptions of  country and she felt the characters balanced each other well in a storyline that is believable and predictable. Zane Grey is not a great writer but told great stories, popular in his time.  Zane Grey's life is also an interesting read.

BEV:  WANDERER OF THE WASTELAND BY ZANE GREY (1923)

Bev wanted to read Zane Grey for sentimental reasons as her father read many of his books.  Unfortunately, Bev didn’t enjoy it.  The main character is Adam, a headstrong young man who accidentally shoots his scheming brother. He believes he has killed him and flees to the Rio Grande.  He returns as he thinks it’s time to atone.

CONNIE:  THE LONG STAR RANGER BY ZANE GREY (1915)

 Connie remembered her father read Zane Grey novels and Connie said she thoroughly enjoyed this one. She learnt a lot more about Texas.  It’s the story of good young man, 23 years old.  He’s a settler with a family and he kills a fellow in self-defence.  He can’t afford a lawyer, so he becomes an outlaw.  He is forced to move all the time as he is being pursued by a posse.  He becomes the fastest gun in the west. Connie had been to Texas, so she really enjoyed the read.

ROSEMARY S: THE SISTERS BROTHERS BY PATRICK deWITT (2011)

Written in the first person, we follow the journey of the Eli Sisters alongside his brother Charlie as they accept a new job from the man known as the Commodore.  The Sisters brothers are notorious hired killers in 1850’s America.  Their journey takes them from Oregon to California. Charlie, the older and leader of the two, is a drinker and a lover of violence.  Eli, on the other hand is sensitive, loves his brother, cares for his horses, does not enjoy killing people uselessly and is a man wanting to change. The plot is simple, some scenes are definitely not for the faint hearted.  There are hilarious stories, touching moments and strange encounters.  It’s the first western book Rosemary has read, and she was in two minds as to whether she was enjoying it or not.  She found it a little slow but on the other hand she was waiting to see what would happen next.

JUDY A:  THE SON BY PHILIPP MEYER (2013)

This is a multi generational family saga.  It’s the story of the McCullough family of Texas and really a history of Texas itself.  It’s told through the eyes of three people, Eli, born 1836, his son Peter, and his great granddaughter Jeanne Anne. Eli made his fortune in cattle and oil, his son Peter is a gentle man and Jeanne is a strong woman.  In 1849, when Eli is thirteen years old, and his father is away mustering cattle, a band of marauding Comanche Indians attack the homestead.  His mother and sister are brutalised and killed.  Eli and his brother Martin are captured.  Martin dies soon after, but Eli is clever and brave, a survivor and eventually becomes the adopted son of the Comanche chief.  He loves the freedom of this lifestyle. These chapters also give you great insight into the Indian lifestyle.  As white settlers move further west and Indian lands are stolen, whole tribes are wiped out by diseases like smallpox. When Eli’s tribe is ravaged by smallpox and only a remnant remains, Eli returns to civilisation and the story continues.  Judy gave it 5/5

PAT: OUTLAWED BY ANNA NORTH (2021)

This is Pat’s first western and it’s not a typical western.  Adele is the main character.  She is a 20 year old apprentice midwife in the 1800’s. Her mother is a midwife. Adele marries and is very happy, but she has not fallen pregnant after one year. Husbands were able to kick their wives out if they did not fall pregnant, so Adele’s mother planned for her to meet an older man in secret, in the hope she would fall pregnant  When she still doesn’t fall pregnant, she gets kicked out. Her mother arranges for her to go to a convent to keep her safe as women who didn’t fall pregnant could be accused of being a witch.  She eventually becomes a member of the Hole in the Wall gang, an all-female gang where most of the members are barren outcasts.

Kris

 

 November is Non Fiction November - Choose your own

 

SEPTEMBER, 2023 -- BIOGRAPHIES AND AUTOBIOGRAPHIES

 

For our September meeting our group discussed a variety of books within the genre of Autobiographies, Biographies and Memoirs. Our range of interests, views and observations are always wide.

JUDY J - EMPRESS OF THE NILE by Lynne Olson. Christiane, born into an artistic family in France, developed a passion for ancient Egypt from a young age, studying Egyptology and going on many digs. During WW2 she joined the resistance, gathering and preserving many priceless pieces of art during the War. After the war ended she helped return these items. Christiane was a strong force, outspoken and bold in the area of Egyptian Antiquities. She helped save Abu Simbal and other temples from flooding of the Aswan Dam. A remarkable woman.

LYNETTE - THE STABLE BOY OF AUSCHWITZ  - Henry Oster. Henry was a German Jew, only a boy when the Nazi's rounded up his family, sent his mother and sisters to 1 camp and he and his father to another. He managed to survive 6 years in internment camps, separated from his family facing incredible brutality and starvation daily. Henry ended up looking after the horses in the stables, also a high risk role. His story of survival is amazing. A brilliant novel with many insightful thoughts revealed.

ROSEMARY - THE JERILDERIE LETTER - Ned Kelly. In Ned's own words he tries to justify the massacre at Stringy Bark Creek and his life, admitting to his crimes but declaring he was forced into crime because of others actions. There is some doubt if he actually penned the letter as Ned was very poorly educated. The letter is well written, set in the Australia of 1870's and shows all the biases of the times - the position of the Monarchy in society, the attitude towards Police and authority, the views of Irish Catholics etc. Fascinating.

JOHN - CHAOS THEORY - The notion that a small incident, action etc can have dramatic implications far away. A butterfly flaps its wings in Mexico and a hurricane lashes China, we live in an interconnected world. There are patterns in life. It needs to be read and then re read to gain deeper meaning of the theory.

CONNIE - THE THUNDERBOLT KID - Bill Bryson. Bill, born in USA 1951, had a lot of freedom growing up, and he used his time getting into mischief. Connie thought he was really more of a juvenile delinquent and it's amazing that he went onto huge worldwide success as an adult. He was a very naughty boy.

 

 

JOAN - CLARA SCHUMANN - THE ARTIST AND THE WOMAN. Nancy Reich. 2001. Born 1819 into a musical family, she was raised by a stern, autocratic father. Clara was a child prodigy, concert pianist, teacher, mother of 8 children, married to Robert Schumann. Clara played by ear and memory. An extraordinary women. She was close to Brahms, and mixed with Liszt and Wagner.  'A WORLD WITHOUT MUSIC WOULD BE A MISTAKE'.

HELEN - FAIR GAME - Alex Blackwell. Alex was a national champion cricketer. She represented Australia, became captain of the team and was a strong advocate for women, highlighting and calling out hypocrisy and discrimination in a very male dominated sport. Yet she struggled and found it hard to accept her own sexuality.

KRIS - KNOWING MANDELA - John Carlin. Covering the time from when Mandela was released from prison till his death, the author views Mandela as a towering moral and political figure. He had great respect and admiration for him. Over time Mandela realised that fighting would not end apartheid, peace being the only way. During his incarceration Mandela befriended many people from all backgrounds, he was shrewd and learnt to speak Afrikaner - a useful tool later during negotiations with different cultural groups. Kris enjoyed this book so much - he was a man of integrity and kindness.

ROSEMARY S - PUT YOUR FEET IN THE DIRT GIRL - Sonia Henry. 2023.

Sonia is a current doctor and writer. Looking to escape the city after the end of an unhappy relationship and the stresses of city life, Sonia was going to travel afar but Covid shut down borders. Instead she became a locum in rural Australia, often the only GP for many kilometres. Whilst supported by excellent nursing staff she had to deal with serious life threatening injuries, mental health issues, everyday medical situations, a lack of continuity of treatment especially for chronic ailments, critical understaffing, supply issues and the problems caused by isolation. Sonia moved from town to town but found the problems in healthcare were the same across the outback. Rosemary really enjoyed this book full of heart, energy, rage and wonderment of nature.

JO - FOR THE LOVE OF OSCAR - Sarah Roberts. When Oscar is born with Down's Syndrome, first time mum Sarah has to learn how to deal with the new 'normal'. She talks about the ups and downs of not only raising a child but also the extra complications of a child with special needs. Paperwork, tears, frustrations, pride, sleepless nights, ignorant comments from strangers - a personal journey for her family. Jo said the book was beautiful, she loved it.

SHEILA - UNRELIABLE MEMOIRS - Clive James. 1980. Shows what a magical place Sydney was for Clive growing up in suburban Sydney post WW2. His observations and events he experienced were well worth reading.

PAMELA - KISMET - 2015.  Jennifer Lawless. There were 67 Australian POW's taken during the Gallipoli Campaign in Turkey during WW1. 24 died of disease or wounds. The Turkish treated the prisoners with respect. There is a lot of misinformation about the Turks and this book, well researched and with good detail challenges the more common harsh and miserable 'plight' of captured soldiers. All 67 prisoners were researched and profiled in the well documented histories of the POW's.

JUDY D - JANE AUSTEN - Interesting historical fiction. A good book.

TAMARA - SINS OF THE BROTHERS - Mark Whitaker. The Backpacker Murders, when 7 young people were brutally murdered and buried, became a 3 year police investigation. The details and storyline make for fascinating and riveting reading. Many members of the large Milat family are revealed. Out of 14 children only 3 did not participate in crime. Their father was a cruel, hard and very tough man. A world so different.

BEV - AGATHA CHRISTIE- AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 1965. It took Agatha Christie 15 years to complete her autobiography. The time covered in the writing is from early childhood to when the autobiography ends in 1965. Agatha was raised by a 'nanny' who told, and encouraged her, to make up stories. Her father had lost most of the family's inherited money so they were forced to move, and rent. The events recounted are selective as the author was guarded in what she wanted to reveal. A book that was big and slow going.

JUDY A - FREE: COMING OF AGE AT THE END OF HISTORY. Lea Ypi.

Lea was raised in Albania, a very isolated country with a Stalinist regime that had replaced religion. 1990 saw massive change - freedom to wear clothing of choice, ability to vote and worship freely. With this freedom people fled, often on crowded ships, to other countries, factories closed, jobs were lost, pyramid schemes bankrupted the country resulting in anarchy and violence by 1997. A clunky and difficult book to read but it did spur Judy to read further about Albania. 

LESLEY - MIKE WILLESEE - MEMOIRS - 2017. Mike, oldest of a family of 6, grew up in Perth. His father, a strong union man, eventually became a senator under the Whitlam Government. Mike initially worked in print media but had big ideas on possibilities in TV. He developed well honed interview skills, was not afraid to ask hard or uncomfortable questions and looked for truth and honesty in his interviewees. Ultimately he created/hosted many hugely successful shows - A Current Affair, 4 Corners, This Day Tonight, This is Your Life, Willesee, Willesee at 7 plus produced numerous documentaries (Vietnam, Bali 9 and  Quentin - a young boy with brittle bones). He fostered the careers of Paul Hogan and John Cornell, mixed with media tycoons, celebrities, sports stars, politicians and ordinary people. Mike was driven, highly ambitious, a hard negotiator and highly respected. His private life was not smooth but he faced every challenge head on. Quite enjoyable.

October reads will focus on Old Westerns USA.

Lesley.